Latvia declares urgent ‘Article 4’ as Ukraine refugee crisis explodes – NATO called to act

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On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a surprise television announcement where he said he had “made the decision of a military operation”, despite weeks of intense diplomacy and threats of sanctions from western allies.

Within a few hours of Mr Putin’s speech, Russia’s defence ministry said it had neutralised Ukrainian military airbases and its air defence systems.

Explosions were heard across Ukraine overnight, with its foreign minister warning a “full-scale invasion” was underway.

Now, Latvia has invoked Article 4 following the invasion.

Article 4 compels NATO members to convene when any other member is concerned about its territorial integrity.

 

This comes as residents in Kiev are fleeing the city following Mr Putin’s Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kulebo confirmed overnight that the Russian President has begun his “full-scale” invasion.

He tweeted: “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.

“This is a war of aggression.

“Ukraine will defend itself and will win.

“The world can and must stop Putin.

“The time to act is now.”

More to follow…

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